Morning by Morning, May 27 - Persecution to Praise, Tribulation to Faith
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Welcome into my heart and every moment of my day. ...
“But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:14-16).
With You in my heart, with Your Holy Spirit sanctifying Christ as Lord in my heart, I’ll begin to desire what is right and do what it right. “For God is working in (me), giving (me) the desire and the power to do what pleases Him” (Philippians 2:13). Not in my power, but Yours; not from my desires, but Yours -- all being formed in me as You continue to work within me.
And now hear the good news: I may suffer for it! I may be persecuted for it! Better yet: I willsuffer for it! I will be persecuted for it! Just like You said of me every follower of Jesus, seeking to “sanctify Christ as Lord” in our hearts: “In the world you face persecution; but take courage, I have conquered the world!” (John 16:33).
But the persecution, the intimidation, the name-calling and cancelling, only serves to make me more like You when I’m allowing Your Spirit to use it all to “sanctify Christ as Lord” in my heart. “Through many tribulations we must enter into the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). And the Kingdom of God is where I want to be -- I want to be in Your Kingdom and I want Your Kingdom in me!
So I thank You for turning my persecutions into praise, for turning my fiery trials into precious faith, refined in the fires that sanctify Christ as Lord in my heart. “In this (I) rejoice, even if for a little while (I) have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of (my) faith -- being more precious than gold that, through perishable, is tested by fire -- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6-7). One day, You’ll be revealed in the skies for all to see (Matthew 24:27; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 1:7). But today, You want to be revealed in me and in the hearts of all who sanctify You as Lord!
As it turns out, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed am (I) when people revile (me) and utter all kinds of evil against (me) falsely on (Your) account. (I can) rejoice and be glad, for (my) reward is great in Heaven!” (Matthew 5:10-12)
One day I’ll receive my reward in Heaven. But today and every day between now and then, I receive the Reward of Your Spirit forming Your Nature in my heart right now. For as You are, so am I to be in my world. By the power of Your grace, by the work of Your Holy Spirit sanctifying Christ as Lord in my heart more and more every day, I’m empowered and free to “live like Jesus here in this world!” (1 John 4:17 NLT) In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you be empowered and free to live like Jesus in this world no matter what the world tries to do to you, as you allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
412 S. Adams Street #148
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
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